Reviews

This movie seems to be postcard perfect, a lesson straight out of the director's guide to romantic movies. Boy meets girl at a carnival, love from the other side of the tracks, a date by the water, etc. And yet the wonderful thing about this movie is that it takes what seems like a story you've heard already (at least in bits and pieces) and still moves you deeply. It really speaks about love in a way that most romantic movies miss by speaking in cliché or over shoot by adding in numerous complications to dramatize things. There have been other great movies to comment on love in recent years (Eternal Sunshine, Lost In Translation jump to mind) but this movie fills a need that those other movies miss: the need for a straight, sweep you off your feet romance. Too bad there can't be movies like this every year...

"The Haunted Mansion" is a deep, theological allegory centering on the great powers and similarities of heaven and of hell. The question has the boldness to ask "Of which does thine soul belong?" No wait hold wrong flick... "The Haunted Mansion", out in theatres for Thanksgiving in a genius move of holiday-movie theme timing, is acceptable light entertainment, an easy shallow Disney flick with a meandering plot that doesn't really move you in any particular way. It delivers some PG thrills, some PG yuks and then politely wipes itself from your memory not more than a few steps out of the theatre. So go take the family to see it if you are so inclined (although Elf is a much better famoly flick). It's not terrible, but it seems like it should've been aired on the Disney Channel a month ago. Very ineffectual movie with that expected manufactured by Disney stamp on it. It could've been a more creative, more filled imagining of the ride but for what it is, it's ok. 5 outta 10.

This movie was disappointing by any standard. With immediately forgettable characters (who you couldn't care less about whether or not they live or die) laughable, garish special effects, and extremely unfrightening zombie things as the primary terror delivery systems, "Resident Evil" doesn't have enough action, scares, or anything else for that matter to satisfy anyone. Not horror junkies, not video game fans, not even teenage boys looking for a lowbrow 90 minute diversion. It's even more glaringly bad when you consider that its left itself open for a sequel... *sigh* Well as long as people keep pouring millions and millions of dollars into crud, unoriginal movies, Hollywood'll keep pumping them out.

I don't know how many of you have ACTUALLY seen this movie but I recently rented it out of morbid curiousty and a sadistic love of BAD cinema (and of course making fun of it)... and I did give it an honest chance. I really did, and no less than 3 minutes into the movie I was convinced it was going to be a bomb... there's too much to complain about here, from the faux artistic shots and film techniques meant to give the film some false "class", to the insane gaping void of chemistry between the main lovebirds, to the comic relief that is not funny and is unnecesary since there was no drama or romance, to the numerous long, long shots of things that either didn't matter or didn't need to be shown for the 700th time... I kid you not this is a really awful movie... only the most inept movie fan or an insanely die hard Mariah Carey fan could ignore the gaping holes in plot, directions, style, and acting that Glitter presents. However if you enjoy watching movies and going all MST3K on them, then by all means rip on this one. It deserves all the insults you can muster.

The Hulk is the latest offering from the suddenly hot line Marvel comic book hero movies. It is dark, exciting and wonderfully stylish. Although the movie suffers a little from its seriousness (a little humor he and there wouldn't have hurt), it is refreshing to see an action movie that tries (and mostly succeeds) to have a more dramatic tone, rather than having to add in gratuitous sex or pointless little gags in order to hedge its bets. The real strength of this movie, and the real reason to go and see the movie, is the flair that director Ang Lee crafts the movie with. He brings the comic book to life and the style of the comic book wonderfully drenches every shot. Case in point, its an interesting new take on the comic book movie genre that really will surprise you. It's certainly not Oscar-worthy deepness but it isn't so cheesy as other action movies are.

Great game, even if its not terribly long or if we've seen all this stuff before to some extent. AS far as movie connected games goes this is as good as it gets. You really feel like you're part of the movie universe, with a concurrent storyline paralell to the movie's plot (complete with an hour of exclusive footage!). The bullet time effects compliment the fighting well and give them a real cool edge. Not very long or hard but definitely worth a rental for any gamer and a buy for a Matrix fan.

The movie's premise, a modern day Faustian bargain (oh don't I sond like the pretentious young college student), could have provided not only for a much more madcap comedic experience but also a more dramatic and morally thoughtful story. The movie drags during the beginning introductions and the fantasy wish sequences are uneven, with some of them suffering from bad pacing and dialogue. Even so this movie is an enjoyable little tale, with a cute little moral lesson. There are moments of hilarity and Elizabeth Hurley flourishes in the role as the sexy unholy temptress who seems to just love her job (although she could have also done so much more with her role as well). Fraser is decent in his role but it certainly isn't one of his best non-dramatic performances (for a similar but much better example of Fraser's talent, look at the delightful "Blast From The Past"). So in summary, uneven yet charming although it certainly could've done so much more! 7 outta 10

This movie is neither flawless or outstanding but it certainly hits on all the major points a good romantic comedy should have and does them well. It also throws in enough variety to seperate it from the usually painful cliches of romantic comedies. Any romantic comedy lives or dies with the chemistry and charisma the lead couple can produce. Both Fraser and Silverstone turn in fantastic performances, truly playing their chracters and inviting us to live in their world and see things from their skewed perspectives. The fish out of water aspect of the story is played nicely but isn't especially madcap. Overall, the movie succeeds in all the areas it needs to. A definite recommendation if you're looking for a fun movie in this genre. 8 outta 10!

Let's get one thing straight, this was a cliche, often poorly written show. It was also a fun little show that didn't aim for much but has since become a pop culture landmark (of sorts). By no stretch of the imagination was this elevating, insightful TV but cmon who didn't like this show? There's room for this kind of fluff, this kind of cotton candy quality TV, that everyone can enjoy. It will be the standard bearer for cheesy kids shows for as long as they are profitable to make.

Although it had its share of clunkers this series overall had some very good episodes and plotlines. It may not have been the most consistent series in terms of episode to episode quality but when ST:TNG makes a good episode, its as good as Trek gets. It can be highly moving and exciting at times which makes it a good TV series overall as well as the standard for Star Trek series. Kudos to the cast anbd the writers.

Although surpassed in graphics and complexity by todays' games, Super Mario Bros. remains a truly fun experience and a generational milestone. From the classic, catchy, unforgettable theme, to the simple fun of saving the princess, Super Mari Bros proves that solid fun gameplay is what mater most in a game. It is still hailed as a favorite despite its age.

This movie had a good sense of creepiness to it, a good cast, and some great visuals. It was actually turning out to be a good movie until the horrendous ending, which reeks of b-Movie filler. First, this movie successfully builds suspense and fear by offering only glimpses of the creature (which has been done successfully in other movies as well, a typical technique that's used). If you decide to reveal and show your monster in full, steady, prolonged shots you take a big risk of letting the audience down. Signs took the risk and failed. The creature looked very typical of the little green men sci-fi flick mold of monster and appeared to be cartoonish in a way. This robs the the movie of alot of its steam, and that's an understatement. The second thing that just kills this movie is this, if I were trying to invade another planet, I presume I would survey the planet to find out whether or not it's covered mostly by a substance which would be highly lethal to me! The logical fallacy here is huge and thus causes the movie to end on a very sour note.

Episode I started the rumor that the creative forces behind the legendary Star Wars franchise, had lost the magic touch and that the franchise was simply now a blockbuster money making franchise and nothing more. Episdoe II confirms this and even if the third redeems itself, nothing can remove the stench that now hangs over this movie series. Episode II has a disatrously bad and cliche love plot that kills the first half of the movie. I've never seen less romantic or charismatic people on the big screen who were obviously trying very hard to be. It was very sad to see. The special effects and the fight scenes were fun but I got the feeling that the big, over the top fights were meant as a concession to viewers, in order to keep their attention for the third film. The plot lacked any punch and the villains were decidedly uniteeresting thus removing a key element that made the original so popular, distinct, powerful villains. What a disgrace to the Star Wars legacy. Go watch the original trilogy instead or the Lord of the Rings trilogy if you want to see inspired filmmaking instead of yet another typical barinless, heartless Hollywood blockbuster.

This movie is truly an awesome film that everyone should give themselves the chance to see. This comedy is truly funny with some scenes just being full of belly laughs, the likes of which some modern comedies never even come close to producing. A farce that hits all the right notes, this movie has excellent direction and pacing that never drags. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon give outstanding performances in drag that are hilarious. I had never seen a Marilyn Monroe movie before this. I never understood what her legend was all about. Well this movie gives a perfect taste of her shining comedic talent, her jaw dropping looks and her silky voice. Comedies this good are rare indeed.